There's something that I love...

...about canning.

I know it seems that everybody is talking

about canning right now.

And, that's because they are!

It is, after all, the 'season'~

For me,

there's just something about

'putting up'

food for the winter.

I don't know if it's the fact that I like anything homemade,

or that it's healthier than eating out of an aluminum can,

or if I just like looking at all those

pretty jars lining the shelf.

Honestly!

Maybe it's because I have vivid childhood memories 

of my own mother

in the kitchen

over a steaming canner

'putting up'

food from our backyard garden.

Or, maybe it's the memories of her mother,

my 

grandmother,

Zella,

going down into the cold cellar

with jars and jars and jars

of goods lining the shelves.

I'm not sure.

But, somehow

it all

left an impression on me.

And, now I find myself in my own kitchen

over a steaming canner

'putting up'

food for the winter.

And,

I 

LOVE

it!

Everything about it~

Glass jars, slipping tomato skins,

the smell of pots on the stove...

and,

of course,

all the pretty jars that line my shelves.

So 

worth it!

(And, my sweet daughter, is learning, too)

I found this WONDERFUL
sweet pickle relish this year from
Ashley English's book on canning~ 

There's some chopping...but it went
together so fast.  And, no corn syrup
in it like the jars in the store~

The recipe said it would make 6 jars,
but it made 7 for me, plus a 1/2 pint
in the refrigerator to use now.
If there's any left. It is so good,
I can't stop 'tasting' it~

I just love those pretty jars~

If you haven't tried canning,
give it a try.
A simple jam is a good place to start~